The Kremlin's brazen tactics: Russia's shadow fleet is doubling as a spy asset
18 hours ago
- #shadow-fleet
- #russia-ukraine-war
- #espionage
- Russian personnel linked to military and security services are spying in European waters while covertly working on ships carrying Russian oil.
- Moscow has built a 'shadow fleet' of tankers to bypass Western sanctions, earning hundreds of millions annually.
- Ukrainian intelligence reports extra Russian crew members with security backgrounds joining these ships, raising alarms in Europe.
- Moran Security, a Russian firm with ties to military and intelligence, has personnel on these ships, some linked to Wagner Group.
- Moran personnel have been involved in espionage, including photographing European military installations from ships.
- Russian crew members monitor non-Russian captains to ensure compliance with Kremlin interests.
- Shadow fleet vessels, often near NATO coastlines, pose espionage and sabotage risks.
- Danish pilots report Russian men in military uniforms controlling ships and photographing sensitive areas.
- Drone sightings near Danish military bases coincided with the presence of shadow fleet ships, raising suspicions.
- Moran Security has deep ties with Wagner Group and Russian intelligence, offering armed security and intelligence operations.
- Europe faces a dilemma on how to respond to the expanding shadow fleet without provoking Russia.